Hey everyone! I'm a care worker about to open a new supported living accommodation for vulnerable people, and I'd love your input. The garden right now is pretty dull, so I'm hoping to liven it up with some colorful flowers and maybe some striking evergreens. However, I have a budget of around £200 and not much experience with plants. Here are the details:
1. Where's the best place to find affordable plants?
2. Which plants would work well for us?
The front of the house gets a lot of sun, especially in the summer, while the back has sunny spots and a couple of shady areas that stay that way for most of the day. Since it's a care home, I think it makes sense to choose hardy to semi-hardy plants that don't need too much maintenance. We're located on the Hampshire/Surrey border (but I won't disclose more specifics). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
4 Answers
I’d suggest reaching out to a local independent nursery; they might be able to help you out. You can mention that you want evergreens and plants that tolerate drought. If that doesn't pan out, try places like Morrisons and B&M for some decent prices.
What a fantastic initiative! Consider going for drought-tolerant plants like salvias (especially the greggii variety) and fuchsias—they’re hardy and bloom in summer and autumn. Also, look into grasses for year-round interest. For the shady spots, ferns are a great option. And asking around locally for gardeners who might have seedlings to share could help you stretch that budget!
If it were me, I’d invest in some good-quality evergreens and then use the rest for seeds. Think about planting foxgloves, poppies, cosmos, and sweet William; they bring loads of color and you'll be able to collect seeds to keep things blooming year after year! Just be cautious with foxgloves though, as they’re toxic—important to keep in mind with vulnerable folks around!
Totally agree with these suggestions. Just make sure OP knows about the foxglove toxicity—don't want any accidents!
I love what you're working on! My go-to would be ordering from B&Q because they usually have great prices on plants. I’d recommend some robust buddleia and lavender; both are hardy and easy to take care of. They’re beautiful and also attract bees and butterflies, which is such a nice touch for your residents. Don’t forget to plant bulbs like bluebells and daffodils—they’ll bloom every year with minimal effort! Herbs like thyme and mint are good too — useful and very resilient!
Exactly! Local nurseries are a great start. If you explain what you're putting together, they might even donate some plants or give you planting ideas. And remember to avoid any toxic plants because of the residents!